Shunfeng International Clean Energy (SFCE), the owner of module maker Suntech, has launched a new O&M company in Germany named Raising Power.

The new firm, which is headquartered in Augsburg, also has locations in Los Angeles and Shanghai and has an existing portfolio of more than 500MW of solar PV capacity under contract globally.

In September, Shunfeng purchased insolvent German project developer SAG Solarstrom for €65 million (US$85.4million). Solarstrom had been looking for new investment after a number of delayed project payments forced it to begin insolvency proceedings at the end of 2013.

Shunfeng has now founded Raising Power in Germany, claiming that its team has “extensive expertise” in remote monitoring and experience in the technical operation and administration of PV systems. Supported by SFCE, the firm will work with investors, system manufacturers and operators as well as suppliers and customers.

Dirk Stahf, chief executive of Raising Power, said the company’s goal is to optimise existing solar plants, of which 70% are not operating to their maximum energy yields. The company also aims to maximise returns on investment in solar power.